Biography

Ivor Gaber is the University's first Professor of Journalism and is Emeritus Professor of Broadcast Journalism at Goldsmiths, University of London. Prior to joining Sussex he held chairs in Journalism at City University London and the University of Bedfordshire. Before entering academia he was a political journalist during which time he reported and produced programmes for BBC TV and Radio, ITN, Channel Four and Sky News. He currently makes documentary programmes for Radio 4 and is an Independent Editorial Advisor to the BBC Trust. He has a particular interest in media development and has worked with political journalists in a number of developing countries transitioning to democracy. His most recent projects have been in Uganda, Nigeria and Malawi. He represents the UK on the Communications Sector at the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) and is a Fellow of the Academy of Social Science. He has written widely on political communications issues and is a frequent contributor on TV and radio in the UK and overseas. He also provides advice and training on media and communications issues for public, private and campaigning organisations.

Current and Recent Media Experience:

Editor, producer and presenter IGA Productions for BBC Radio 4, 5Live and World Service

Role

Professor Gaber's primary role at Sussex is to increase, and highlight, journalism and journalism-related research at Sussex by both undertaking his own investigations and by encouraging younger, and newer, members of staff to engage in research activity. He is also charged with expanding the Department's links with other faculties within the University and with raising the profile of journalism at Sussex both nationally and internationally. He also undertakes a range of teaching at both undergraduate and postgraduate level.

Community and Business

FUNDED RESEARCH

2015 - ‘The Impact of the Social Media on Key Seats in South of England 2015’ University of Sussex Research Development Fund £20,000

2008 - “British Television News Coverage of the War in Lebanon” for Britain- Israel Communications and Research Centre £25,000

2008 - “Mapping Ethnic Minority Media in London” for the Office of the Mayor of London £10,000

2008 - “Regulatory Bodies and the Freedom of Information Act” for the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority £30,000

2004 - “Driven to Distraction: the media and the introduction of congestion charging in London” for the Greater London Authority £30,000

RECENT INTERNATIONAL ASSIGNMENTS

Africa

Nigeria 2014/15 – UNDP: Working as media consultant to the UNDP in Nigeria helping them to devise and deliver media assistance and monitoring components in the run-up to, and beyond, the general election of May 2015.

Malawi 2013/14 – IWPR for USAID & DfID: Planned and oversaw media monitoring of the 2014 Malawian election, Believed to be largest such operation ever undertaken in Africa, involving monitoring of traditional, online and social media over eight-week period.

Libya 2013/14 – IWPR for UK Foreign Office:Developed new curricula for Journalism Schools at the Universities of Benghazi and Tripoli (meetings held in Istanbul)

Tunisia 2012 – The Journalism Foundation:Devised and ran workshops in political reporting for both new and experienced Tunisian journalists.

Nigeria 2011 – IWPR for USAID and DfID:Devised and ran workshops across Nigeria for political journalists, then editor Nigerian Election News Report covering 2011 elections for the Nigerian media.

Burkina Faso 2010 – IWPR for National Democratic Institute:Devised and ran workshops for political journalists in preparation for Presidential elections.

Uganda 2005-7 - IWPR for the European Union:Consultant Editor and Trainer for Ugandan Radio Network - a national news agency for FM radio stations set up to enhance democratic capacity in advance of 2007 Presidential Election.

Asia

Azerbaijan 2012/13 – IREX for USAID:Ran series of workshops for journalists in preparation for forthcoming Presidential Election

India 2009 – City University London:In run-up to Indian General Election, lecture tour of universities in Delhi and Mumbai, speaking on 'New Trends in Political Campaigning'.

China 2007 - University of Westminster for UK Foreign Office:Organised and ran workshops for senior Chinese Government press officers in understanding Western concepts of freedom of information and independent journalism.

China 2004 - Article 19 for the British Council:Convenor of training programmes in investigative reporting for Chinese business journalists.

Eastern Europe and Former Soviet Union

Georgia 2008 – Council of Europe:Organised and ran series of workshops for journalists in the run-up to parliamentary elections.

Serbia 2007 – Council of Europe:Keynote address given to Council of Europe conference on 'Right to Privacy and Freedom of Expression' in Belgrade for Serbian journalists, lawyers and politicians.

Bosnia and Herzegovina 2004-2006 – ICON for European Commission:International communications expert overseeing Public Awareness Campaign in Bosnia aimed at creating public support for a unified market that transcended the political/ethnic divisions.